Morocco Atlas Mountains Expedition 14 Days

Day 1 - Arrival to Marrakech & Free sightseeing

Arrival to Marrakech and check into the hotel. Upon arrival in Marrakech, you will be driven to your hotel. You have free time for sightseeing. Breakfast is included at the hotel. Dinner is available for purchase at the hotel or at local restaurants outside.

Day 2 - Marrakech - Imlil - Short Hike

Morning: Transfer to Imlil Departure: You will depart from Marrakesh at 9:30 AM for a drive of approximately 65 km (around 1.5 to 2 hours) to the village of Imlil. Arrival: Imlil sits at an altitude of approximately 1,740m to 1,800m and serves as the main base for treks to Mount Toubkal. Lunch: Upon arrival, lunch is typically served at your designated guest house, often featuring traditional Moroccan dishes like tagine or salad. Afternoon: Acclimatization Walk (Bardoun Area) Destination: The walk heads toward the Bardoun area, reaching an elevation of approximately 2200m.This specific elevation matches several nearby landmarks used for acclimatization, such as the village of Aremd (1,967m) or the Tizi n'Aguersiwal pass (2,000m). Purpose: This short hike (usually 2–3 hours) is designed to help your body adjust to the altitude before more strenuous trekking on subsequent days. Route: You can expect to walk along ancient mule tracks, passing through traditional Berber villages, walnut groves, and terraced fields. Difficulty: These introductory walks are generally considered easy to moderate and are suitable for most fitness levels

Day 3 - Imlil - Tachdirte valley - Ouanskra Camp

Imlil (1,740m) – Ouansekra Camp (2,100m).

This scenic trekking route transitions from the vibrant hub of Imlil (1,740m) into the high-altitude serenity of the Atlas Mountains. Beginning with an 8:00 AM breakfast and a 9:00 AM departure, the trail winds through traditional Berber villages nestled in the Tacheddirt Valley. Following a steady ascent, you will enjoy lunch at the Tizi n’Tamaterte pass, offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. The journey continues with a climb to the Taoudja summit (2,700m) for an elevated perspective of the rugged landscape before descending to the Ouansekra / Tacheddirt camp (2,100m). This trek takes approximately 5 hours.

Day 4 - Ouanskra Camp - Tizi N'Tachdirte 3200m - Ouanskra Camp

The hike from Ouansekra to Tacheddirt Pass is a challenging, non-technical acclimatization trek that takes you through the scenic Tacheddirt Valley, offering stunning views and a notable altitude gain. Trail Description and Scenery Initial Ascent: The trail starts from Ouansekra (2,100m) and immediately begins a steady, continuous climb. The path winds through the picturesque Tacheddirt valley, known for its terraced fields, green orchards of walnut, apple, and cherry trees, and occasional oak and juniper woods. Terrain: The terrain is varied, transitioning from established paths near the villages to more rugged, sometimes steep and rocky, or loose scree slopes as you ascend higher into the mountains. Sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles are recommended for stability on the uneven ground. The Pass: Tacheddirt Pass 3,172m, ) marks the highest point of the day's hike. The ascent to the pass can take approximately 4 hours. Views: Upon reaching the top of the pass, you are rewarded with a panoramic and breathtaking view of the surrounding Toubkal Massif, the Imlil, and Imenane Valleys, and the stark, high peaks that loom overhead, such as Adrar n'Oukaimeden and Jbel Angour. Acclimatization Focus: This day is primarily designed to help your body adjust to the higher altitude in preparation for more demanding ascents, such as the Mount Toubkal summit attempt later in your trek. Difficulty: The hike is considered moderately to very challenging due to the significant elevation gain (around 1,000m positive gain) and the potential effects of altitude. A good level of fitness is required. Duration: The total walking time for the round trip is approximately 7 hours. The outward journey to the pass is mostly uphill, while the return to Ouansekra involves a long descent back to the same camp.

Day 5 - Tachdirte valley to Matat Valley

Ouansekra Camp to Matat Valley (1,800m) Duration: Approximately 7 hours of walking

This full-day trek connects the Imnane Valley with the Matat Valley, offering a diverse range of scenery from terraced fields and walnut groves to juniper forests and stark mountain backdrops. The trail primarily follows ancient mule tracks, providing an immersive experience into the daily life of the local Berber communities.

Morning Departure from Ouansekra Camp: The day begins with a departure from Ouansekra Camp (located in the Imnane Valley). Around 9:00 AM, you will cross the Imnane Valley, heading towards the small Berber hamlet of Ikiss village. The initial part of the trek involves traversing along the valley floor and slopes, passing through several other Berber villages and cultivated terraced fields. The path offers views of the surrounding peaks, including Jbel Bou Iguenouane in the distance. Midday Ascent and Lunch: The route features a mix of ascents and descents across various valleys and hamlets, eventually leading to a steady climb towards the Tizi n' Aguersioual pass (around 2,000m). After the pass, you will descend winding mule tracks to the area of the Aguersiwal River (Assif n' Ait Mizane valley), which serves as the traditional lunch spot. The setting is typically a scenic area near the river, possibly under walnut groves. Afternoon Trek and Arrival at Matat: Post-lunch, the journey continues with another ascent, heading up into the Matat Valley. The trail from Aguersiwal to Matat village takes approximately one hour uphill. You will arrive at the village of Matat (elevation 1,800m), your final destination for the day, where you will spend the overnight in a local guesthouse or camp. The walk typically takes around 7 hours in total

Day 7 - Azzaden valley to Imlil valley

This trek is a moderate, approximately 5-hour walk that offers superb views as it traverses the Tizi n'Mzik pass, connecting the scenic Azzaden and Imlil valleys. The journey involves significant elevation changes and showcases diverse High Atlas Mountain scenery and traditional Berber villages. Your trek begins in the village of Tizi Oussem, located at the top of the lush Azzaden Valley (around 1,822m). The Azzaden Valley is known for its quiet, serene environment, with terraced farms, juniper forests, and various fruit trees like walnut, almond, apple, and cherry. Ascent to Tizi n'Mzik Pass: The route involves a gradual but steady climb towards the pass. You'll follow ancient mule trails through Toubkal National Park, passing through evergreen alpine forests and enjoying increasingly expansive views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The geology of the mountains changes along the way, shifting in color from greys to reds and purples. Tizi n'Mzik Pass (2,480m / 2,489m): The highest point of the trek offers a breathtaking panoramic vista of both the Azzaden and Imlil valleys. This is an ideal spot for a break, photos, and often you can find a small seasonal shelter selling refreshments like freshly squeezed orange juice. Descent to Imlil Valley: From the pass, you'll begin the descent towards the Imlil Valley. The path down can be steep in parts with some loose rock or scree, requiring careful footing. The trail leads you through more traditional Berber villages, such as Mzik and Arhrene, before arriving in the main village of Imlil in the afternoon. Stay in the Guest House.

Day 8 - Relaxing Day in Imlil

A free day in Imlil offers a peaceful break for relaxation and cultural immersion before the strenuous Mount Toubkal ascent. It provides a chance to witness the traditional Berber way of life, enjoy local amenities, and acclimatize to the altitude. Activities and Exploration Explore the village: Wander through Imlil's narrow streets to observe the traditional mud-brick houses and daily life. You can visit small local markets and shops selling handmade crafts, such as Berber rugs, pottery, and jewelry. Hike to the Imlil Waterfalls: A short, gentle walk from the main village leads to picturesque waterfalls. This easy trail, which takes around 30-45 minutes, is perfect for stretching your legs without overexertion and enjoying the natural scenery. Visit a nearby village: Take a walk to neighboring villages like Aroumd or Tamatert. These walks offer different perspectives of the surrounding valleys and a deeper look into the local Berber culture and terraced fields. Cultural experiences: Engage with the friendly locals. You might be invited for a traditional mint tea, or you could arrange a local cooking class to learn the secrets of Moroccan cuisine like tagine.

Day 9 - Imlil- Toubkal base camp

The trek from Imlil to the Toubkal base camp is the first stage of the popular Mount Toubkal ascent. It is a strenuous, non-technical hike that takes you through the stunning High Atlas mountain scenery, ascending gradually along mule tracks and rocky paths.

The trek begins in the small, bustling village of Imlil at an elevation of approximately 1,740 meters (5,709 feet). The hike covers a distance of about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) and typically takes around 5 to 7 hours to complete. Elevation Gain: You will ascend approximately 1,460 meters (4,790 feet) to reach the base camp. Terrain: The trail follows ancient Berber mule tracks, passing through traditional terraced farming areas, walnut and apple groves, and along the Ait Mizane Valley. The terrain is varied, becoming rockier and more exposed as you gain altitude. About halfway through the trek, you will pass the pastoral pilgrimage shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, a white-painted boulder beside a small waterfall. This is a common spot to stop for lunch or a refreshing drink. the base camp is around 3,207 meters (10,520 feet).

Day 10 - Toubkal base camp- Toubkal Summit- Toubkal base camp

he trek from the Toubkal base camp (Neltner Hut) to the summit of Mount Toubkal and back is a challenging, non-technical high-altitude hike, typically taking 6-8 hours round trip. It involves a significant elevation gain of approximately 960m (3,150ft). Trek Description The hike generally begins very early in the morning from the refuge (around 3:00 am - 5:00 am) to avoid strong winds and the intense sun later in the day. The route primarily follows the south cirque and involves walking on varied terrain, including well-trodden paths, steep, rocky slopes, scree fields (loose rock), and potentially snowfields depending on the season. Trekking poles are highly recommended for stability, especially on the scree descent. The ascent involves a steady, steep climb with a series of zigzags. The path can be demanding due to the gradient and the reduced oxygen at high altitude, which can make the going quite difficult in parts. The trail leads to a mountain pass, Tizi'n'Toubkal (at 3,940m), where the route turns northward to follow the summit ridge. The peak of Jbel Toubkal (4,167m / 13,671ft) is marked by a distinctive pyramidal metal frame. From the top, you are rewarded with breathtaking, panoramic views stretching across the entire Atlas Mountain range, the Marrakech Plain to the north, and as far as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara Desert to the south. The return journey follows the same route back down to the base camp. The descent is faster (taking about half the time of the ascent), but the loose scree and tired legs can still make it a tricky part of the hike, requiring careful footing.

Day 13 - Free day in Marrakech - Cultural Tour - Agafay Desert

An evening trip to the Agafay Desert offers a serene escape from the bustle of Marrakesh, featuring a sunset camel ride and a traditional Moroccan dinner under the stars. This experience is often combined with live music and fire shows, providing an authentic cultural immersion. Most tours include convenient round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle from your Marrakesh hotel, offering picturesque views of the changing landscape from urban to the rocky Agafay desert. Sunset Camel Ride: Upon arrival, you'll be fitted with traditional nomadic dress and guided on a gentle camel trek through the unique, stony desert landscape. The timing is designed to capture the breathtaking moment the sun dips below the horizon, casting golden hues across the terrain. Traditional Dining: After the ride, you'll settle into a welcoming desert camp, often a beautifully decorated tent with low tables and cushions, where a sumptuous three-course Moroccan dinner awaits. Menu Highlights: Typical dishes include a Moroccan salad, a choice of tagines (chicken, lamb, or beef, with vegetarian/vegan options available upon request), bread, couscous, seasonal fruits, and refreshing mint tea. Evening Entertainment: The dining experience is enhanced by the ambiance of a campfire and live traditional Berber music and Gnaoua music performances, often including a captivating fire show. What to Wear: Comfortable clothing is recommended. It is advisable to bring a light jacket or a warm layer as temperatures can drop significantly in the rodcky desert after sunset.

Day 14 - Marrakech - Flight Back Home

departure day: We will arrange your transport to the airport depending on your flight. The check out in the hotel is around 11h30